No, especially by the employment centers of San Diego. Today’s home pricing and low interest rate environments are extremely powerful motivation for a prospect looking to buy a home. Since the beginning of the year the market has steadily shown signs of strength. All metrics are improving: days on market, ask/offer price and lower inventory levels are all heading in the direction of an improving market. Gas prices are not material enough to dissuade a buyer from taking advantage of these dynamics. Higher gas prices will result in more hybrid sales, not less housing sales.

•Murtaza Baxamusa, directs planning and development for the Family Housing Corporation, of the San Diego Building Trades in Mission Valley:

No. Gas prices are a marginal factor, given the turgidity of the lasting economic recession. There are two climate variables that will impact the outspring of the housing market bloom in San Diego. First, formation of new credit-worthy homebuyers, as demographic pressure from the younger cohort of college graduates is balanced by lower wages, higher student debt and unstable careers. Second, market stabilization, as evidenced by recent stronger sales, lower mortgage interest rates and shrinking inventories. The interaction of these forces should lead to a modest growth in sales, with buyers continuing to look for a bargain this spring.

Yes. Higher gas prices will harm the spring homebuying season, but the impacted will be muted by historically low mortgage rates. Higher prices at the pump with deteriorate consumer confidence and affect lower-end homes more than higher-end homes. The recent move higher is unusual because it has not been “fueled” by excess demand from an overheating economy or geopolitical events. Instead, it has been caused by the Fed printing money. If gas prices continue higher from the current levels, then it will become a bigger problem for the entire U.S. economy, including real estate, but I don’t anticipate a big surge in fuel prices this year (like in 2008.) Homebuyers will instead focus on historically low mortgage rates.

•Clemente Casillas, broker and president at South County Real Estate in Chula Vista.:

Yes, the rise in price in gasoline does affect the bottom line on the purchase of a home. An extra $100 spent on gas will reduce the price of a home by $20,000. However, being that real estate prices are dropping or somewhat stagnant, I don’t believe it will have a large impact. Prices are low and we have low interest rates. I believe the location will be a bigger consideration. For example, the distance from Eastlake in Chula Vista to downtown San Diego is approximately 20 miles. That’s a 40-mile trip every day. A potential buy might consider buying closer to downtown.